Device for pouring out concrete

ABSTRACT

A device for discharging concrete having a flexible hose which is connected to a concrete supply line, preferably a concrete supply line of a concrete pump, the hose is provided with an input end which is associated with the supply line and through which the concrete conveyed through the supply line enters the hose and an output end through which the concrete conveyed through the hose leaves the hose for the purpose of discharge. The hose is adapted to be bent in at least one swiveling plane between a substantially straight initial position and a curved position, and also has a swivel for moving the hose from its straight initial position to its curved position. The swivel has at least one drawer and/or pusher which extends, at least at the initial position of the hose, outside of the longitudinal central axis of the hose and at least indirectly between a first bearing associated with the output end of the hose and connected to the hose and a second bearing associated with the input end and fixed relative to the input end. At least one actuator is provided which is operatively connected to the drawer or pusher in such a way that the distance between the first and second bearings can be reduced, whereby the hose can be moved from its initial position to its curved position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention refers to a device for discharging concrete,comprising a flexible hose, which is connected to a concrete supplyline, preferably a concrete supply line of a concrete pump, said hosebeing provided with an input end which is associated with the supplyline and through which the concrete conveyed through the supply lineenters the hose and an output end through which the concrete conveyedthrough the hose leaves said hose for the purpose of discharge, saidhose being adapted to be bent in at least one swivelling plane between asubstantially straight initial position and a curved position, andfurther comprising a swivelling means for moving the hose from itsstraight initial position to its curved position, said swivelling meanscomprising at least one drawing and/or pushing means which is effectivein the swivelling plane and which extends, at least at the initialposition of the hose, outside of the longitudinal central axis of thehose and at least indirectly between a first bearing associated with theoutput end of the hose and fixedly connected to the hose and a secondbearing associated with the input end and fixed relative to said inputend at least in the drawing and/or pushing direction of the drawingand/or pushing means, and at least one actuating means being provided,which applies a drawing and/or pushing force to the drawing and/orpushing means and which is operatively connected to said drawing and/orpushing means in such a way that the distance between the first andsecond bearings can be reduced by actuating the respective actuatingmeans, whereby the hose can be moved from its initial position to itscurved position.

2. Description of the Related Art

Such a device is known e.g. from DE-A-2752605. This device is providedwith a piston-cylinder unit by means of which the hose can be moved fromits initial position to its curved position. Due to the fact that theoutput end can be swivelled relative to the input end, the concrete canbe discharged such that it is applied to the areas aimed at withoutmoving the concrete supply line itself. However, a device of this typeproves to be disadvantageous insofar as the possible swivelling angle isstrongly limited by construction-dependent circumstances. The swivellingangle is limited by the distance of the piston rod and of thepiston-cylinder unit from the hose. For enlarging the swivelling angle,the distance between the piston-cylinder unit and the hose has to beenlarged. This, however, results in a substantial increase in thephysical size and in the fact that a larger number of components isrequired so that the weight of the device will be increased; this isdisadvantageous, especially in the case of long, projecting supportingarms. In addition, such a device does not suffice to fulfill all therequirements which have to be satisfied for operating a concrete pump.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Hence, it is the object of the present invention to further develop adevice of the type mentioned at the start in such a way that it is easyto produce, has the lowest possible weight and the smallest possiblephysical size as well as the largest possible effective swivelling angleof the output end of the hose. In addition, it should be adapted to beused more universally.

According to the present invention, this object is achieved by thefeatures that the hose is adapted to be bent in at least two swivellingplanes which are arranged at an angle relative to one another and thatat least two drawing and/or pushing means are provided, which areeffective in the respective swivelling planes, said drawing and/orpushing means being flexible.

This solution is simple and advantageous insofar as the device can beprovided with a structural design of such a nature that it has acomparatively low weight. In addition, the number of components requiredis smaller than in the case of conventional solutions, whereby thedevice can be produced more easily. The device can now also be providedwith a very compact structural design and, in comparison withconventional solutions, larger swivelling angles of the output end canbe achieved. Furthermore, the concrete pump can be used more universallydue to the possibility of swivelling the hose end in at least twoswivelling planes.

In this connection, it may prove to be advantageous when the swivellingplanes include a right angle.

At least one of the first or second bearings can be arranged in spacedrelationship with the respective associated input end or output end inan advantageous manner. This offers the possibility of causing the hoseto bend in different curvatures, e.g. an S-shaped curvature.

In accordance with an advantageous further development of the presentinvention, the actuating means can be provided between one of thebearings and the drawing and/or pushing means. This permits an even morecompact structural design of the device.

In this connection, it may prove to be advantageous when the respectiveactuating means is provided between the second bearing and the drawingor pushing means.

In order to obtain a structural design which is as simple and asreliable as possible, it may prove to be advantageous when therespective actuating means is implemented as a piston-cylinder unit.

According to an advantageous further development of the presentinvention, also the respective second bearing can be connected to thehose. This offers the possibility of providing the device independentlyof the supply line, or of providing it instead of a hose which is notequipped with a device according to the present invention. This offersthe possibility of retrofitting old concrete pumps.

It may also prove to be advantageous to fasten the respective actuatingmeans to the hose and to connect it to one of the bearings of thedrawing and/or pushing means. This can be advantageous especially forretrofitting old concrete pumps, since, depending on the spatialconditions, the actuating means can be provided either at the first orat the second bearing.

In accordance with an advantageous further development of the presentinvention, it may be of advantage when the respective drawing and/orpushing means extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hose atthe initial position of the hose. In addition, it may prove to beadvantageous when the respective first bearing is arranged laterally ofand in spaced relationship with the longitudinal axis of the hose. Itmay also be advantageous when the respective second bearing is arrangedlaterally of and in spaced relationship with the longitudinal axis ofthe hose.

In accordance with an advantageous further development of the presentinvention, it may also prove to be of advantage when additional drawingand/or pushing means are provided, the bearings being then arranged suchthat they are distributed over the circumference of the hose. Thisoffers the possibility of bending the hose into different directions,and this will permit a better distribution of the concrete discharged.

In this connection, it may prove to be particularly advantageous when atleast two drawing and/or pushing means are provided, which, at least atthe initial position of the hose, are arranged in opposed relationshipwith each other relative to the longitudinal axis of the hose. Thisoffers the possibility of achieving swivelling angles of 180° or more inone plane.

In accordance with an advantageous further development of the presentinvention, three drawing or pushing means can be provided, which, at theinitial position of the hose, are arranged such that they are uniformlydistributed about the longitudinal axis of the hose, and the hose can beadapted to be swivelled in several swivelling planes. The device can beused even more universally in this way.

A further advantageous embodiment of the present invention is soconceived that, at the initial position, four drawing and/or pushingmeans can be arranged such that they are uniformly distributed about thelongitudinal axis of the hose, the drawing and/or pushing means beingarranged in pairs essentially in the swivelling planes. This againserves to achieve a better distribution of the concrete discharged bythe hose.

In order to provide the device with a structural design which is ascompact and as simple as possible, the respective first bearings can beattached to a first fastening ring which surrounds the hose and which issecured thereto, the respective drawing and/or pushing means being fixedin said bearings. In this connection, it may also be advantageous whenthe respective second bearings are attached to a second fastening ring,which is fixed relative the hose, and when the respective actuatingmeans rest on the second fastening ring.

In addition, it may also prove to be advantageous when the secondfastening ring is provided with guide means in which the drawing and/orpushing means are guided such that they are adapted to be moved relativeto the fastening ring. The drawing and/or pushing means can be guidedaccurately in this way.

In accordance with an advantageous embodiment, the guiding effect can beproduced by means of rollers, the drawing and/or pushing means beingdeflected by said rollers in certain sections thereof parallel to thedrawing and/or pushing direction of the piston-cylinder unit. This willprevent the drawing and/or pushing means from getting jammed in theguide means.

In accordance with an advantageous further development of the presentinvention, the device can also be provided with a rotational joint withthe aid of which the hose can be swivelled about its axis of symmetryrelative to the supply line. It is thus possible to swivel the outputend on a circular path up to 360° in the deflected condition of thehose. This will improve the distribution of the concrete to bedischarged still further.

In accordance with another further development of the present invention,the drawing and/or pushing means can be guided in the wall of the hose.This will permit an even more compact structural design of the device.In addition, the swivelling means will be prevented from getting dirty.

It may also be of advantage when the drawing and/or pushing means areimplemented as drawing force-transmitting steel ropes. Furthermore, itmay prove to be advantageous when the drawing and/or pushing means areimplemented as joint rods, preferably as Cardan joints, transmittingdrawing and pushing forces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, the present invention will be explained in detail onthe basis of embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a view of a first embodiment of the device according to thepresent invention at an initial position, part of said figure being asectional view,

FIG. 2 shows the device according to FIG. 1 in the deflected condition,

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the device according to the presentinvention in the non-deflected condition, part of said figure being asectional view,

FIG. 4 shows the device according to FIG. 3 in the deflected condition,

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the device according to the presentinvention in the non-deflected condition, part of said figure being asectional view,

FIG. 6 shows the device according to FIG. 5 in the deflected condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the device 1 according to the presentinvention comprising a hose 2, a swivelling means 3 and actuating means4.

The device 1 is intended to be attached to the end of a concrete supplyline 5, a section of which is shown in the drawing and which belongs toa concrete pump, which is not shown. The concrete supply line 5 of aconcrete pump is normally held on a supporting arm, which is not shown.It is therefore also imaginable to fasten the device 1 to thissupporting arm.

The hose 2 of the device 1 is flexible and is provided with an input end6 which is associated with the supply line 5 and through which theconcrete conveyed through said supply line 5 enters the hose 2, and withan output end 7 which is opposed to the input end 6 and through whichthe concrete conveyed through the hose 2 leaves said hose 2 for thepurpose of discharge. In order to guarantee the necessary flexibility ofthe hose 2, said hose may consist of rubber-elastic material,textile-like materials, metal braids or plastic. It is also imaginableto implement the hose 2 such that it is composed of individual segments;in this case, the individual segments may consist e.g. of metal orplastic. In principle, any material is suitable, which permits aflexible structural design of the hose. The cross-section of the hose 2is preferably ring-shaped.

At the output end 7, a first fastening ring 8 is provided, which isconnected to the hose 2. On the side 9 facing the input end 6, there aretwo first bearings 10. These first bearings 10 are arranged laterally ofthe axis of symmetry of the hose 2 which is essentially tubular when itoccupies its initial position. The two first bearings 10 are arrangedsuch that, when seen relative to the axis of symmetry of the hose 2,they are opposed to one another and arranged in spaced relationship withsaid axis of symmetry.

The input end 6 has associated therewith a second fastening ring 11which is provided with two openings 12. The openings 12 each constitutepart of a guide means 13. On the side 14 associated with the supply line5, there are two piston-cylinder units 15 with drawbars 16 having endsections 17 which face the output end 7, said piston-cylinder units 15being associated with the respective openings 12. The piston-cylinderunits 15 rest on the second fastening ring 11 via sleeves 19 definingsecond bearings 18. The second fastening ring 11 and the sleeve 19 andthe piston-cylinder units 15 are respectively interconnected via screwconnections, which are not shown.

Between the first bearings 10 and the second bearings 18, respectivedraw means 20 are provided in the form of steel ropes. One end of thedraw means is directly connected to the first bearings and the other endis indirectly connected to the bearings 18 via the end sections 17 ofthe piston rods 16 of the piston-cylinder units. The draw means 20preferably consist of steel ropes. It is, however, also imaginable touse braided ropes, plastic cables or chains. In addition, the draw meanscan be implemented after the fashion of Bowden cables. Alternatively, itis imaginable to use pushing members or pushing rods which arearticulated on one another.

The two draw means 20 are guided through the respective openings 12, therollers 21 being provided in pairs in said openings 12; said rollers 21deflect the draw means 20 at any position of the hose 2 in such a waythat the end facing the drawbar 16 is in alignment with said drawbar 16.In this way, transverse forces are prevented from being introduced inthe piston-cylinder units 15.

The second fastening ring 11 is fixedly connected to a connecting piece22 which constitutes part of the concrete supply line 5. The connectingpiece 22 is connected to the rest of the concrete supply line 5 by arotating means 23 in a flangelike manner in such a way that saidconnecting piece 22 is rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereoftogether with said second fastening ring 11 and the hose 2. The rotarydrive is effected hydraulically and is not shown in detail.

Also the piston-cylinder units 15 are driven hydraulically, said drivebeing not shown in detail either. The draw means 20 are fastened to thefirst bearings 10 and the end sections 17, respectively, in a mannerwhich is well-known to the person skilled in the art, e.g. by means ofscrew clips or hooks and lugs, said fastening means being, however, notshown in detail for the sake of clarity.

The hose 2 is in alignment with the connecting pieces 22 and the part ofthe concrete supply line 5 following said connecting piece 22. Theconnection between the connecting piece 22 and the hose 2 is covered bythe second fastening ring 11. The hose 2 can, for example, also beconnected to the second fastening ring 11.

In the following, the mode of operation of the present invention will.be explained in detail.

By means of a concrete pump, not shown, concrete is pumped through theconcrete supply line 5, the connecting piece 22 and the hose 2, theconcrete being discharged at the output end 7 of the hose 2.

At an initial position, the hose 2 is essentially tubular and inalignment with the connecting piece 22 and, at least in certain sectionsthereof, with the concrete supply line 5. When the concrete dischargedthrough the output end 7 is to be uniformly distributed over a surface,the hose 2 can be moved from its initial position to a curved position,as can be seen from FIG. 2, by actuating the draw means 20. At thiscurved position, the concrete is discharged into an area which isdifferent from the area acted upon when the hose 2 is at its initialposition. The hose 2 cannot only assume the position shown in FIG. 2 butalso any intermediate position.

For moving the hose 2 from its initial position to the curved position,the drawbar 16 of one of the piston-cylinder units 15 is drawn back,whereby the distance between the first bearing 10 and the second bearing18 is reduced, i.e. one of the draw means 20 is drawn back in thedirection of the second fastening ring, whereby the hose 2 is caused tobend. The drawbar 16 of the other piston-cylinder unit is extended to acorresponding extent so that the hose 2 is not prevented from bending.

Depending on the stroke lengths of the drawbars 16, the output end 7 ofthe hose 2 can be moved such that a swivelling angle of approx. 180° ormore is covered, provided that swivelling takes place at both sides ofthe axis of symmetry of the hose 2.

In order to permit the discharged concrete to be distributed even moreeffectively, the output end 7 can be moved along a circular path withthe aid of the rotating means 23 in the deflected condition of the hose2.

In comparison with conventional solutions, the device according to thepresent invention can be produced in a simple manner, it has a lowweight and it requires only little space.

By attaching e.g. a flange to the rotating means 23, it is imaginable toretrofit also already existing concrete pumps with said device 1.

In the following, a second embodiment will be described on the basis ofan example.

The second embodiment corresponds essentially to the device according tothe first embodiment, but the draw means 20 are guided in passages 24formed in the wall 25 of the hose 2. In addition, a second pair ofrollers 21 is provided for deflecting the draw means 20 in a suitablemanner, as can be seen from FIG. 3. In order to make the hose 2 moreflexible, it is implemented in the form of a corrugated bellows. In thepresent example, the passages 24 are created by two corrugated bellowswhich are inserted one into the other and the walls 25 of which definethe passage 24.

The mode of operation of the second embodiment of the present inventioncorresponds to the mode of operation of the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

Alternatively, it is imaginable to provide additional draw means withthe aid of which the hose can be deflected in several planes.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, a further embodiment is shown, which correspondsessentially to the first embodiment. Hence, identical components areprovided with identical reference numerals. Other than in the case ofthe first embodiment, the piston-cylinder units 15 are pivotablysupported on pivoting axles 26 defining simultaneously the secondbearigs 18. The pivoting axles 26 are supported in foot bearing means27, which are secured to the second fastening ring 11.

The mode of operation of this third embodiment corresponds essentiallyto that of the first embodiment of the present invention. In view of thepossibility of pivoting the piston-cylinder units, the draw means 20 canbe guided more simply.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for discharging concrete, comprising aflexible hose (2), which is connected to a concrete supply line (5),said hose (2) being provided with an input end (6) which is associatedwith the supply line (5) and through which the concrete conveyed throughthe concrete supply line (5) enters the hose (2) and an output end (7)through which the concrete conveyed through the hose (2) leaves saidhose (2) for the purpose of discharge, said hose being adapted to bebent in at least one swivelling plane between a substantially straightinitial position and a curved position, and further comprising aswivelling means (3) for moving the hose (2) from its straight initialposition to its curved position, said swivelling means comprising atleast one drawing and/or pushing means (20) which is effective in theswivelling plane and which extends, at least at the initial position ofthe hose (2), outside of the longitudinal central axis of the hose (2)and at least indirectly between a first bearing (10) associated with theoutput end of the hose and fixedly connected to the hose (2) and asecond bearing (18) associated with the input end and fixed relative tosaid input end at least in the drawing and/or pushing direction of thedrawing and/or pushing means, and at least one actuating means beingprovided, which applies a drawing and/or pushing force to the drawingand/or pushing means and which is operatively connected to said drawingand/or pushing means in such a way that the distance between the firstand second bearings (10, 18) can be reduced by actuating the respectiveactuating means, whereby the hose (2) can be moved from its initialposition to its curved position, characterized in that the hose isadapted to be bent in at least two swivelling planes which are arrangedat an angle relative to one another and that at least two drawing and/orpushing means (20) are provided, which are effective in the respectiveswivelling planes, said drawing and/or pushing means being flexible. 2.A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the swivellingplanes include a right angle.
 3. A device according to claim 1,characterized in that at least one of the first or second bearings (10,18) is arranged in spaced relationship with the respective associatedinput end (6) or output end (7).
 4. A device according to claim 1,characterized in that the respective actuating means (4) is providedbetween one of the bearings and the drawing and/or pushing means (20).5. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the respectiveactuating means (4) is provided between the second bearing (18) and thedrawing and/ or pushing means (20).
 6. A device according to claim 1,characterized in that the respective actuating means (4) is implementedas a piston-cylinder unit (15).
 7. A device according to claim 1,characterized in that the respective second bearing (18) is connected tothe hose (2).
 8. A device according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe respective drawing and/or pushing means (20) extends parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the hose at the initial position of the hose.
 9. Adevice according to claim 1, characterized in that at the respectivefirst bearing (10) is arranged laterally of and in spaced relationshipwith the longitudinal axis of the hose (2).
 10. A device according toclaim 1, characterized in that the respective second bearing (18) isarranged laterally of and in spaced relationship with the longitudinalaxis of the hose (2).
 11. A device according to claim 1, characterizedin that additional drawing and/or pushing means (20) are provided, thebearings (10, 18) being arranged such that they are distributed over thecircumference of the hose (2).
 12. A device according to claim 1,characterized in that at least two drawing or pushing means (20) areprovided, which, at least at the initial position of the hose (2), arearranged in opposed relationship with each other relative to thelongitudinal axis of the hose (2).
 13. A device according to claim 1,characterized in that three drawing or pushing means are provided,which, at the initial position of the hose, are arranged such that theyare uniformly distributed about the longitudinal axis of the hose, andthat the hose is adapted to be swivelled in several swivelling planes.14. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that, at the initialposition, four drawing and/or pushing means (20) are arranged such thatthey are uniformly distributed about the longitudinal axis of the hose,the drawing and/or pushing means (20) being arranged in pairsessentially in the swivelling planes.
 15. A device according to claim 1,characterized in that the respective first bearings are attached to afirst fastening ring (8) which surrounds the hose and which is securedthereto, the respective drawing and/or pushing means (20) being fixed inthe bearings (10, 18).
 16. A device according to claim 15, characterizedin that the respective second bearings (18) are attached to a secondfastening ring (11), which is fixed relative the hose (2), and that therespective actuating means (4) rest on the second fastening ring (11).17. A device according to claim 16, characterized in that the secondfastening ring (11) is provided with guide means (13) in which thedrawing and/or pushing means (20) are guided such that they are adaptedto be moved relative to the fastening ring (8, 11).
 18. A deviceaccording to claim 17, characterized in that the guide means (13) arerealized in the form of rollers (21), the drawing and/or pushing means(20) being deflected by said rollers in certain sections thereofparallel to the drawing and/or pushing direction of the piston-cylinderunit.
 19. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that thedevice is provided with a rotating means (23) with the aid of which thehose (2) can be swivelled about its axis of symmetry relative to thesupply line (5).
 20. A device according to claim 1, characterized inthat the drawing and/or pushing means (20) are guided in the wall (25)of the hose (2).
 21. A device according to claim 1, characterized inthat the drawing and/or pushing means are implemented as steel ropes.22. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drawingand/or pushing means are implemented as joint rods, transmitting drawingand pushing forces.